Connecting element for connecting a conduit system to cooling aggregates in aircraft cabins

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a connection element for connecting at least one first conduit element or the like positioned in a supply chamber of an aircraft with at least one second conduit element positioned in a cabin chamber of an aircraft, wherein supply chamber and cabin chamber are separated from each other by means of a separation element, substantially comprising a connection part comprising fastening elements for fastening the first and second conduit element. Known connection elements have the disadvantage that there occur sealing problems due to the fastening of the fastening element at the outside of the connection part at the end facing the cabin chamber. A further disadvantage is that the connection elements protrude into the cabin chamber and form stumble edges there. In that at least the fastening element for the fastening the conduit element of the cabin chamber is provided within the connection part, there may be realised a compact structural shape which does not protrude from the separating element into the cabin chamber, and which may in addition be reliably sealed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a connection element for connecting a firstconduit element or the like positioned in a supply chamber of anaircraft with at least one second conduit element positioned in a cabinchamber of the aircraft, wherein supply chamber and cabin chamber areseparated from each other by means of a separation part, substantiallycomprising a connection part comprising fastening element for fasteningthe first and second conduit elements.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Connection elements of this kind are especially employed in aircraftconstruction. Aircraft usually have a cabin chamber in which at regularintervals so called center regions are provided. In these center regionsthere are provided kitchens, among others with separate coolingaggregates. In order to be flexible with respect to the position of theindividual aggregates within the center region for creating so calledflex-zones, there are usually provided several connections at which theor each aggregate may be adapted. For supplying the aggregates with thenecessary supply lines or offtake lines for the cooling medium or thelike which are commonly situated below the bottom plate of the cabin inso called supply chambers, connection elements are necessary whichsecure the bottom feed-through, namely the connection between a conduitelement in the supply chamber to a conduit element in the cabin chamber.As conduit elements, there are understood all tube elements, hoseelements, tube-hose elements or connection elements of other kinds.Besides the conduits for supply and leading-out of, for example, coolingelement in the cabin region, below the bottom plate in the supplychamber there are also further conduit elements, for example the mainconduit for the air conditioner, as well as cross beams and othermembers.

The known connection elements have a tubular connection part which atleast partly extends into the cabin chamber through the separationelement. At the section of the connection part extending into the cabinchamber, at the outer side thereof is disposed a connection elementcorresponding to respective fastening element at the conduit element.Usually, the connection part is provided with an outer thread onto whichthe conduit element of the cabin chamber is screwed.

On the one hand, this has the disadvantage that a big structural shapeis necessary, namely particularly a big installation height. Thereby, aninstallation above cross beams or main conduits for the air conditionerin the supply chamber is not possible. On the other hand, due to theexcess length with respect to the bottom plate, the connection elementsform an abutting edge, which presents a stumbling danger in the cabinchamber and complicates the mounting of a kitchen as well as the changeof position of individual aggregates. Moreover, the known connectionelements have a sealing difficulty. By means of the outer thread of theconnection element, a sealing with respect to humidity is not securedbetween the cabin chamber and the supply chamber (upper deck or lowerdeck). A further disadvantage is that the known connection elementsrequire a very big insection in the bottom plate, which makes necessarya strengthening of the surrounding bottom plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There may be a need to provide a compact connection element.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a connectionelement of the above mentioned kind may be provided in that at least onefastening element for the fastening of the conduit element of the cabinchamber may be provided within the connection part. Thereby, on the onehand, may be effected that the connection part ends up with theseparation part in a maximally flush manner. In other words, theconnection element does not protrude from the separation element, sothat a plane surface without stumble edges or the like may be ensured.Moreover, for example for pressure test purposes, the connection elementmay be provided with blind plug(s), that also do not protrude from theseparation element into the cabin chamber. On the other hand, theconnection elements according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, due to their construction, may be sufficiently compact thatonly a small installation height may be necessary which may also allowfor an installation above cross beams, air conditioner conduits or otherconstruction elements within the supply chamber and below the separationelement. Further, the exemplary embodiment of the invention may allowfor a simple and reliable sealing between the upper deck and the lowerdeck.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a compactconnection element may be provided which may allow for a secure andreliable feed-through of conduit elements via a separation element, andat the same time may be handled in an easy and comfortable manner.

For example, the connection part may have an inner thread at the sidefacing the cabin chamber. Thereby, a particularly tight, flexible andeasily manageable fastening of the conduit element of the cabin chambermay be possible. Due to the only small opening in the bottom plate, astrengthening of the bottom plate may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a flange element may beassigned to the connection part, wherein the flange element may bedisposed with respect to the free end facing the cabin chamber in astanding-back manner. Thereby, on the one hand, a simple and fastmounting may be ensured. On the other hand, by means of the flangeelement, an optimal sealing possibility for sealing with respect tohumidity may be created between the upper deck and the lower deck.

For example, there may be a tube part assigned to the connection part atthe side opposite to the free end, wherein the tube part may be fixedlyconnected to the connection element, and may be selectively providedstraight or bent. This may also allow for the installation between theseparation element on the one hand, and cross beams, conduits or othermembers within the supply chamber on the other hand, so that theflex-zones of the center regions may be provided in any zones within thecabin chamber, which element may be provided also above cross beams,traverse conduits or the like.

Further exemplary features and embodiments result from the dependentclaims and the description. Exemplary embodiments are further explainedwith reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a portion of an aircraft bodyhaving a cabin chamber and a supply chamber,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a connection element having astraight tube portion,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a connection element having anangled tube portion,

FIG. 4 a is a partially sectional side view of a connection elementhaving an angled tube portion,

FIG. 4 b is a plan view of the connection element according to FIG. 4 a,

FIG. 5 a is a partially sectional side view of a connection elementhaving a straight tube portion,

FIG. 5 b is a plan view of the connection element according to figure 5a,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection element with parts of abottom plate,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of several adjacently disposed connection elementsin a built-in state, and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of several connection elements disposed in abuilt-in state in a nested manner with respect to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The connection elements shown in the figures serve as bottomfeed-through connecting two conduit elements like, for example, tubeelements, hose elements or socket elements with each other via a bottomplate.

In FIG. 1, a section of a body 10 of an aircraft is schematically shown.Within the body 10, at least one cabin chamber 11 as well as at leastone supply chamber 12 are provided. The cabin chamber 11 is separated ordisjoined, respectively, from the supply chamber 12 by means of aseparation element 13 which is provided as a bottom plate 14. Within thesupply chamber 12, there are disposed different components, like, forexample, crossbeams 15, traverse conduits 16 for supply of the airconditioner, as well as further conduit elements 17 serving, forexample, for supplying cooling aggregates in the cabin chamber. Forfeeding through at least one conduit element 17 through the bottom plate14, there is provided at least one connection element 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the connection element 18. Theconnection element 18 comprises substantially a connection part 19having fastening elements 20,21 for the conduit element 17 of the supplychamber 12 as well as for a conduit element 22 of the cabin chamber 11.The connection part 19 is provided in a cylindrical shape and atube-like form. Other shapes, particularly also weight reducing ones,which may be obtained, for example by outer material decrease, are alsopossible. A free end 23 of the connection part 19 faces the cabinchamber 11, and serves for fastening the conduit element 22 of the cabinchamber 11. Opposite to the free end 23, the end 24 of the connectionpart 19, or, respectively, of a tube part 27 being disposed therein (forexample in a bore), faces the supply chamber 12 and serves for fasteningthe conduit element 17. In the region of the free end 23, the connectionpart 19 has, at the inner side thereof, the fastening element 20. In theshown embodiment, the connection part 19 is provided with an innerthread 25 (see for example FIGS. 4 a and 5 a). Alternatively, thefastening element 20 may, for example, be designed as bayonet coupling,snap fit or plug-type lock or the like, wherein all connection elementsare disposed inside. The fastening element 21 at the free end 24 of thetube part 27 which is, for example by soldering or welding, fixedlyfastened to the connection part 19 may be provided as thread connection,crimp connection, solder connection or welding connection or as anothercommon sealing element and/or fastening element.

Further, the connection part 19 corresponds to a flange element 26. Thepreferably triangularly provided flange element 26 is fixedly fastenedto the connection part 19. The position of the flange element 26 isvariable.

Preferably, the flange element 26 is provided revolving about theconnection part 19 and is disposed at a distance A to the free end 23.The distance A corresponds to approximately the thickness S of thebottom plate 14. Preferably, the distance A is slightly smaller than thestrength S of the bottom plate 14.

The bottom plate 14 has at least one opening 28 for receiving theconnection part 19. The opening 28 has a diameter D₁ which correspondsto at least the outer diameter D_(a) of the connection part 19 at thefree end 23. Preferably, the diameter D₁ is slightly larger than theouter diameter D_(a). However, the diameter D₁ is selected in such a waythat the flange element 26 at least partly covers the opening 28. Forbeing fastened at the bottom plate 14, the flange element 26 hasseveral, preferably three, bores 34. Alternatively, there may also beprovided rivetted-on nuts or similar elements.

The tube part 27 protruding into the supply chamber 12 may be providedor shaped, respectively, in different forms, and be disposed atdifferent positions at the connection part 19. Especially in the FIGS. 2and 5 a, 5 b, a straight provision and arrangement of the tube part 27is shown. Therein, the tube part 27 is shaped cylindrically. The middleaxis 29 of the tube part 27 proceeds parallel to the middle axis 30 ofthe connection part 19 or is congruent therewith, respectively. Thisespecially simple construction shape is advantageous, if there are nodisturbing components disposed in the supply chamber 12 in the region ofthe opening 28. In case that in the supply chamber 12 in the region ofthe opening 28, there are disposed components, like for examplecrossbeams 15 or the traverse conduit 16 (as shown in FIG. 3), to theone hand, the tube part 27 is provided in bent form. To the other hand,the tube part 27 is further disposed at an angle with respect to theconnection part 19, so that the middle axes 29, 30 proceed at an anglewith respect to one another.

In the mounted state of the connection element 18, that is to say whenthe connection element 18, for example by means of screws, is connectedto the bottom plate 14 in a detachable manner, between the connectionpart 19 and the bottom plate 14, due to the diameter differenceD₁-D_(a), there is formed an interspace 31 or also a hole-shaped splitwhich is filled with a fill material 32. The fill material 32 may alsohave a sealing effect or sealing features, respectively.

Between the flange element 26 and the bottom plate 14, there issandwiched a seal element 33 which especially ensures the humiditysealing between upper deck and lower deck. As sealing materials, theremay be used all commercially available as well as special sealingmanners.

Several ones of the of connection elements 18 may be disposed side byside at the bottom plate 14 (see for example FIG. 7), for example forrealising a supply line and an offtake line to the central region C. Inan especially space-saving variant, the triangular flange elements 26are disposed nested to each other (see for example FIG. 8), so thatseveral bottom feed-throughs may be provided in smallest space. Foravoiding mixing-ups or interchanges, for example in connection with thesupply line or offtake line, the fastening element 21 of adjacentlydisposed connection parts 19 may be provided with different embodiments.One possibility is, for example, the provision of a left-handedthreading for the connection part 19 of the supply line and aright-handed thread for the connection part 19 of the offtake line. Itis also possible to use differing kinds of threads or colouredlabelling.

The connection part 19 may of course be adapted for feed-through ofconduit-elements or other separation elements like side walls or thelike.

It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude otherelements or steps and the “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Alsoelements described in association with different embodiments may becombined.

It should also be noted that reference signs shall not be construed aslimiting the scope of the claims.

1. Connection element for connecting at least one first conduit elementpositioned in a supply chamber of an aircraft to at least one secondconduit element positioned in a cabin chamber of the aircraft, whereinthe supply chamber and the cabin chamber are separated from each otherby means of a separation element, wherein the connection elementcomprises a connection part which comprises a fastening element forfastening the first and second conduit element, wherein at least thefastening element is adapted for fastening the at least one secondconduit element of the cabin chamber within the connection part. 2.Connection element according to claim 1, wherein the separation elementis a bottom plate having at least one opening for the connectionelement.
 3. Connection element according to claim 1, wherein theconnection part is cylindrical or tubular.
 4. Connection elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the connection part has an inner thread.5. Connection element according to claim 1, wherein the fasteningelement is a plug-type lock and/or a snap lock.
 6. Connection elementaccording to claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the connection partin the region of the free end is slightly smaller than the diameter ofthe opening in the bottom plate.
 7. Connection element according toclaim 6, wherein, between the connection part and the bottom plate,particularly in the interspace formed by the difference between thediameters, there is disposed a fill material.
 8. Connection elementaccording to claim 1, wherein a flange element is assigned to theconnection part, wherein, with respect to the free end facing the cabinchamber, the flange element is disposed in a relocated manner. 9.Connection element according to claim 8, wherein the flange element istriangularly shaped, wherein a seal element is disposed between theflange element and the bottom plate.
 10. Connection element according toclaim 8, wherein the flange element is connected to the bottom plate ina detachable manner, particularly by means of a plurality of screws. 11.Connection element according to claim 1, wherein at the side facing thefree end, there is assigned a tube part to the connection part, whereinthe tube part is fixedly connected to the connection part. 12.Connection element according to claim 11, wherein the fastening elementfor the conduit element in the supply chamber is disposed at the tubepart.
 13. Connection element according to claim 11, wherein the tubepart is selectively provided straight or bend.
 14. Connection elementaccording to claim 11, wherein the middle axis of the tube partselectively extends parallel to or at an angle to the middle axis of theconnection part.